A Taste of Spain Progressive Dinner Party

First Home - Appetizers

Second Home-Main Course

Third Home - Dessert and Coffee

Planning a Successful Progressive Dinner Party

• The closer people live to one another the better; a neighborhood block, an apartment building or a condo are ideal settings.
  
  
• Plan on three to four courses. Try an appetizer, main meal and dessert, or focus on all appetizers and desserts and limit the celebration to two homes.
  
  
• Try not to have more than three changes of locale. Once people are settled it can be difficult to get them to move to the next place.
  
  
• Choose recipes that can be made ahead and simply reheated and served when guests arrive so hosts don’t have to leave a house early to get ready at their own.
  
  
• Ask each host to provide drinks that work best for their course or ask participants who aren’t hosting to bring beverages. Or, request everyone bring their own beverage.
  
  
• If you are the host at the second or third house, set the table prior to leaving for the party.
  
  
• If you have to drive between locations, be sure to appoint a designated driver.
  

Our party serves eight with the idea you will visit three different homes.

• If you like, ask one couple (not hosting) to bring the Spanish Olive Salad to the second home.
  
  
• For the main dish, the host should have the Easy Paella prepped through Step 2 and come home a few minutes early to pop them in the oven. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine or enjoy the Spanish Olive Salad while the paella bakes.

First Home—Appetizers

Several Days Before

• Make Empanadillas, using Kitchen Tips make-ahead suggestion.

Last Minute Prep

• Assemble Banderillas and dipping sauce.
• Bake Empanadillas.
• Make Sangria.

Second Home—Main Course

Early in the Day

• Prep lettuce and oranges for Spanish Olive Salad.
• Make do-ahead prep for Easy Paella.

Last Minute Prep

• Finish Spanish Olive Salad.
• Bake Easy Paella.
  

Third Home—Dessert and Coffee

The Day of the Party

• Make Almond-Orange Cake, through Step 3.

Last Minute Prep

• Add whipped cream to Almond-Orange Cake.
• Brew Spiced Dessert Coffee  or tea, if friends prefer.